Odes 2.9 (Creech): Non Semper Imbres

NOt always Snow and Hail and Rain
Descend, and beat the fruitful Plain;
Not ruffling Storms still toss the Caspian Floods:
Not every Month doth lazy Frost
Bind up the Armenian Coast
Nor furious Storms still vex the groaning Woods:

Call'd forth by Spring's enlivening Breez
The Leaves return to naked Trees;
But you, dear Friend, still mourn in Weeping strains
Lost Mystis; when Noon burns the Skies
When night comes on, or when it flies
No change appears, Thy love and Grief remains:

Yet Aged Nestor dry'd his Tears,
His Grief was shorter than his Years;
Nor did he still his dying Son bewail:
His Sisters, and the Trojan Train,
And Priam wept, but smil'd again,
Nor always mourn'd young Troylus hasty fall.

Thy soft Complaints at last forbear,
Let Mirth succeed, and Smiles appear
Let's sing, and Caesar be our lofty Theme;
How rough Niphates Hills obey,
And Tigris bound by Caesar's sway
Less furious grows, and rouls a milder stream:

The Scythians now with broken Bows
Confin'd to their own Frost and Snows
Have cool'd the raging fury of their Pride;
In narrow bounds with nimble force
They ride their fierce impetuous Horse,
And view with longing Eyes the Roman side.